A multi-pathway model for photosynthetic reaction center

Charge separation occurs in a pair of tightly coupled chlorophylls at the heart of photosynthetic reaction centers of both plants and bacteria. Recently it has been shown that quantum coherence can, in principle, enhance the efficiency of a solar cell, working like a quantum heat engine. Here, we propose a biological quantum heat engine (BQHE) motivated by Photosystem II reaction center (PSII RC) to describe the charge separation. Our model mainly considers two charge-separation pathways which is more than that typically considered in the published literature. We explore how these cross-couplings increase the current and power of the charge separation and discuss the effects of multiple pathways in terms of current and power. The robustness of the BQHE against the charge recombination in natural PSII RC and dephasing induced by environments is also explored, and extension from two pathways to multiple pathways is made. These results suggest that noise-induced quantum coherence helps to suppress the influence of acceptor-to-donor charge recombination, and besides, nature-mimicking architectures with engineered multiple pathways for charge separations might be better for artificial solar energy devices considering the influence of environments.

[Radiographic and masticatory physiologic evaluation after conservative treatment of condylar fractures in children and adolescents]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the developmental and functional outcome of condylar fractures in children and adolescents after conservative treatment.

METHODS

Eight children and adolescents with unilateral condylar fracture, aged 5-13 were included. A removable occlusal splint, the thickness of which was determined according to the age, the developmental stage of the dentition, the level of the fracture and the degree of dislocation, worn for 1-3 months, and the patients were asked to perform functional exercises. The patients were followed up by clinical observation, panoramic radiograph, temporomandibular joint(TMJ ) cone beam computed tomography(CBCT), and surface electromyography(sEMG) of masticatory muscles (superficial masseter, anterior temporalis, and anterior digastric muscles). Ramus height and body length of mandible were measured on panoramic radiograph. The patients were asked to return for follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, and then once a year. The patients underwent clinical examination at each follow-up visit, and radiological examinations at 6 months and then annually.

RESULTS

All the patients showed clinically satisfactory results. CBCT showed smooth and continuous cortex. Panoramic X-ray revealed that the ramus height was shorter in the fractured side than in the contralateral side, while body length was longer. The mean asymmetry index(AI,x±s) for ramus height and body length were (3.29±2.68)% and (4.01 ± 2.54)%. sEMG showed either hypertension or hypotension in the masticatory muscles of the fractured side and asymmetries were obvious. The mean AI for sEMG activity of the anterior temporalis, masseter, and anterior digastric muscle were masseter: (15.0 ± 16.9)%; anterior temporalis: (21.5 ± 15.9)%; anterior digastric muscles: (11.9 ± 10.7)%.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative treatment of condylar fracture in children and adolescents had clinically satisfactory results, while mandibular development was slightly interrupted. Asymmetries of EMG activities of masticatory muscles were obvious. EMG could objectively reveal the functional recovery of condylar fracture in children.

DNA based signal amplified molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemical sensor for multiplex detection

Fabrication process of the electrochemical sensor based on MIPs/GE for the determination of FA, FR, Hg²⁺, and target DNA.

General response formula and application to topological insulator in quantum open system

It is well-known that the quantum linear response theory is based on the first-order perturbation theory for a system in thermal equilibrium. Hence, this theory breaks down when the system is in a steady state far from thermal equilibrium and the response up to higher order in perturbation is not negligible. In this paper, we develop a nonlinear response theory for such quantum open system. We first formulate this theory in terms of general susceptibility, after which we apply it to the derivation of Hall conductance for open system at finite temperature. As an example, the Hall conductance of the two-band model is derived. Then we calculate the Hall conductance for a two-dimensional ferromagnetic electron gas and a two-dimensional lattice model. The calculations show that the transition points of topological phase are robust against the environment. Our results provide a promising platform for the coherent manipulation of the nonlinear response in quantum open system, which has potential applications for quantum information processing and statistical physics.

Clinical analysis on application of color Doppler echocardiographic in cortriatrium diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

Discuss the main points of diagnosis of cortriatrium; patient's color Doppler echocardiography (CDE), provide basis for clinical treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Inspect 12 cortriatrium cases with CDE, 10 cases with cardiovascular angiography, 12 patients were confirmed by operation. Operations were all carried out under the moderate hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass with intracardiac correction technique. Abnormal diaphragm in the left a trial was completely removed, and other combined heart malformations were also cured.

RESULTS

Four cases for II A type, 1 case for II B type, 6 cases for II A type, 1 case for II B type. Among them, there were 7 cases for combined atrial septal defect, 5 cases for ventricular septal defect, 3 cases for patent ductus arteriosus, 6 cases for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Twelve children all survived, deformity correction was satisfactory, and after operation, recovery went on well in 6 months to 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

CDE has specific diagnostic value for cortriatrium; thus, it is the optimal method of diagnosing cortriatrium.

Pulsatile GnRH Is Superior to hCG in Therapeutic Efficacy in Adolescent Boys With Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadodism

CONTEXT

We investigated the efficacy and safety of two different treatments that have not been evaluated in peripuberty boys with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of GnRH or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment in adolescent boys with HH.

DESIGN

Twelve patients received 8-10 μg of GnRH, sc injected every 90 minutes using a pump. Another 22 patients received hCG, injected im as follows: for the first 3 months, 1000 IU of hCG was injected two times per week and then once every other day for the next 3 months. The dose of hCG was increased to 2000 IU after a 6-month treatment and the above cycle was repeated for another 6 months. All patients were treated for 12-14 months and followed up every 3 months.

SETTING

Thirty-five participants were chosen from Beijing Children's Hospital from 2008 to 2014. Twenty-three patients with Kallmann syndrome and 12 with normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The age ranged from 10 to 16 years.

INTERVENTION(S)

Twelve patients were treated with pulsatile pump GnRH (group 1), and 22 patients were treated with im hCG (group 2). One patient was treated successively with hCG and GnRH, which was removed in data analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Testicular volume was measured by an orchidometer. The levels of T, LH, and FSH serum were measured with a chemiluminesent immunoassay. Bone age was measured by x-ray.

RESULTS

Patients treated with GnRH showed larger testes than those treated with hCG. Patients in both groups showed a significantly increased length of penis and T levels. But the difference of the two groups was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in side effects in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Boys with HH may be effectively treated with GnRH. We suggested that GnRH exhibits higher efficacy in treating adolescent boys with HH than hCG.

[Retrospective study about periodontal ligament healing of replanted permanent teeth in children]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prognosis about periodontal ligament healing of replanted permanent teeth in children and to examine the associated factors.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 49 children with 61 avulsed permanent teeth, whose injuries had been managed in the period from 2000 to 2012. The clinical data of replanted teeth were collected, and the follow-up period was no less than 12 months. The factors were analyzed in relation to postoperative outcomes, classified as functional periodontal healing (FH), infection-related (inflammatory) resorption (IRR) and replacement resorption (RR).

RESULTS

The functional healing rate was 23.0%, while replacement resorption rate was 72.1%. The replacement resorption (ankylosis) was usually observed earlier by clinical examination than by radiographic examination. 86.0% (40/47) resorptive processes were diagnosed within the first year. Physiological storages, such as milk, saline and saliva were significantly better to periodontal ligament healing than nonphysiological storages, such as tap water and sterilizing solutions (chloramine and alcohol). Functional healing was found significantly more frequent in canines and premolars.

CONCLUSION

The factor significantly affecting periodontal ligament healing is storage medium. Replacement resorption is the most common type of root resorption. The replacement resorption diagnosis must combine the radiographic examination with the clinical examination. It is better to follow up more than 1 year after tooth replantation.

[Children with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: clinical data analysis and mutations analysis of KAL1 and FGFR1 gene]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the clinical features of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) diagnosed during childhood, and detect mutations in KAL1 and FGFR1, acting as key clues for diagnoses.

METHOD

We collected and analyzed clinical data of 21 cases (including demographic data, chief complaint, history of present illness, family history, physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging studies, etc.) diagnosed with IHH from December 2008 to February 2013. Polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing was applied to detect mutations on KAL1 and FGFR1. Fifty healthy unrelated individuals were choosen as controls.

RESULT

Of 21 patients with IHH, 19 were males and 2 females, they visited us initially from 8-17 years old, with an average of (13.58 ± 2.38) years old. Sixteen cases were KS patients (76%). One boy reported abnormal sense of smelling but having olfactory perfect picture on MRI; 2/19 male cases had no puberty when they were over 13-14 years old without abnormal external genitalia. 8/19 cases only had small penis, 8/19 had both of cryptorchidism and small penis, and the Case 2 also had hypospadias. One boy had cryptorchidism combined with a normal penis. Only 2 girls diagnosed as IHH who visited us because of no puberty signs when they were 13 and 16 years old, respectively. Other clinical manifestations included: one with gynecomastia, 2 had mental retardation, and one was deaf; one with high palatal arch; one with mirror-movement and one with left renal agenesis but normal renal function respectively. Laboratory tests showed that the basic testosterone (T) is low and with inappropriately low or normal gonadotropin hormones. The results of cases of standard human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test of 7 cases out of 19 male children's were normal (testosterone>1 100 ng/L), and another nine cases continued to complete the extended HCG test, and the testosterone levels of two of them (cases 6, 8) were still lower than 1 000 ng/L. Family history: the parents in 9/21 family had delayed puberty, involving only one parent in 6 families, involving both in 2 families and the other one was an uncle having micropenis with a child. Among these 21 cases, only one boy's father had hyposmia and his first emission age was 14-15 years. Eleven patients accompanied abnormal sense of smelling and the olfactory organ abnormalities on MRI, 4 had olfactory organ abnormalities on MRI while they had good smelling function self-reportedly. We got 15 samples (12 KS and 3 nIHH cases) to screen the mutation of KAL1 (14 exons) and FGFR1 (18 exons). A splicing mutation c.1062+1G>A in KAL1 is identified in case 17 with IHH. One novel heterozygous FGFR1 mutation, a single base deletion mutation on the exon 1 c.27delC is identified in case 14. This mutation causes the premature termination codons.

CONCLUSION

This pilot research showed that IHH/KS diagnosis in children depends on clinical manifestation rather than gene analysis. Small penis or cryptorchidism, smelling abnormality and positive familial history may contribute to the KS/HH diagnosis. MRI of olfactory bulb acts as important proof for diagnosis of KS. Mutations in KAL1 and FGFR1 gene are not main causes of Kallmann syndrome.

A novel acrosomal protein, IQCF1, involved in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction

On the basis of the unknown tags in the mature human sperm serial analysis of gene expression library constructed by our laboratory, some transcripts were cloned, including Iqcf1 (IQ motif containing F1). To investigate the function of sperm-retained Iqcf1 in spermatogenesis and fertilization of mice, we investigated the spatial and temporal expression of IQCF1. By using the (transcription activator-like effector nuclease) strategy, Iqcf1-knockout mice were produced, and the phenotypes of the Iqcf1(-/-) mice were analyzed. The results showed that IQCF1 was localized in the acrosome of spermatozoa and spermatids; the expression of IQCF1 in testes was associated with spermatogenic capacity. The Iqcf1(-/-) mice were significantly less fertile than the wild-type mice (p = 0.0057) because of reduced sperm motility (p = 0.0094) and the acrosome reaction (AR) (p = 0.0093). In spermatozoa, IQCF1 interacted with calmodulin (CaM) and possibly participated in the tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins during capacitation. In conclusion, a newly identified acrosomal protein, IQCF1, is closely related to sperm capacitation and AR; in particular, it is involved in tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins through interaction with CaM. Research into the function of IQCF1 during fertilization could facilitate the investigation of the molecular mechanism of capacitation, which is unclear.

Dynamics and quantumness of excitation energy transfer through a complex quantum network

Understanding the mechanisms of efficient and robust energy transfer in organic systems provides us with insights for the optimal design of artificial systems. In this paper, we explore the dynamics of excitation energy transfer (EET) through a complex quantum network by a toy model consisting of three sites coupled to environments. We study how the coherent evolution and the noise-induced decoherence work together to reach efficient EET and illustrate the role of the phase factor attached to the coupling constant in the EET. By comparing the differences between the Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics, we discuss the effect of environment and the spatial structure of system on the dynamics and the efficiency of EET. A intuitive picture is given to show how the exciton is transferred through the system. Employing the simple model, we show the robustness of EET efficiency under the influence of the environment and elucidate the important role of quantum coherence in EET. We go further to study the quantum feature of the EET dynamics by quantumness and show the importance of quantum coherence from a different perspective. We calculate the energy current in the EET and its quantumness, and results for different system parameters are presented and discussed.

MiR-198 represses tumor growth and metastasis in colorectal cancer by targeting fucosyl transferase 8

In this study we investigated the biological role and mechanism of miR-198 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). MiR-198 expression was shown to exhibit a strongly negative correlation with lymph node invasion, distant metastasis and patient survival in examinations of colorectal cancer tissues and paired normal colorectal mucosa tissues. fucosyl transferase 8 (FUT8) was identified as a potential target of miR-198 in bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays. Overexpression of miR-198 in CRC cell lines decreased FUT8 levels as shown by immunofluorescence analysis, and inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These anti-tumor phenotypes were rescued by reconstitution of FUT8 expression. Furthermore, miR-198 was shown to target the 3′UTR of FUT8 directly to downregulate FUT8 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. In vivo, restoration of miR-198 significantly inhibited xenograft growth and invasion of CRC tumors in nude mice. Therefore, it could be concluded that miR-198 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of CRC by directly targeting FUT8.

The interactions of ι-carrageenan with cationic surfactants in aqueous solutions

The interactions between the anionic polymer ι-carrageenan (IC) and the cationic surfactants 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (C12mimBr), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and ethyl-α,ω-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium)dibromide (12-2-12) have been studied by fluorimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry. Our experimental results showed that at a low surfactant concentration, the monomers adsorbed on the IC chains through the electrostatic attraction, followed by the formation of induced micelles on the IC chains through the hydrophobic interaction until the IC chains are saturated by surfactant molecules; after that the added surfactant formed free micelles in the solution. A pseudo-phase-equilibrium thermodynamic model was proposed to explain the experimental results and to understand the mechanisms of the interactions in these three systems. Moreover, the salt effect on the interactions was investigated and found that it changed the critical concentrations but not the interaction mechanism.

Tumour-infiltrating FoxP3+ and IL-17-producing T cells affect the progression and prognosis of gallbladder carcinoma after surgery

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been found to play crucial roles in a series of cancers. However, the impact of these cells on gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined infiltrating FoxP3+, IL-17+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells by immunohistochemistry in specimens of 104 patients with GBC and evaluated the association of these cells with clinicopathological features and prognosis. The number of FoxP3+ cells was increased in a stepwise manner from CC to GA and GBC (GA versus CC, P = 0.036; early GBC versus GA, P = 0.032; advanced versus early GBC, P = 0.025). Both intratumoral FoxP3+ and IL-17+ cells correlated with nodal metastasis and TNM stage. Additionally, there were more infiltrating FoxP3+ cells in specimens with distant metastasis (P = 0.014). The group with high FoxP3+ cells showed poor overall survival (OS, P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS, P < 0.001), and high infiltration of IL-17-producing cells was also a predictor of poor OS (P = 0.024). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of intratumoral FoxP3+ cells was an independent prognostic indicator for poor DFS (P < 0.01). In summary, these findings indicate that FoxP3+ and IL-17+ cells cooperatively facilitate pathogenesis and progression of GBC and show prognostic significance for OS or DFS.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and conventional insulin therapy in the treatment of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: long term follow-up

BACKGROUND

It has been indicated that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHST) is a promising treatment to adults with type 1 diabetes, however, the application of AHST therapy to children with type 1 diabetes still needs more data. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical effect of immune intervention combined with AHST and conventional insulin therapy in the treatment of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

This 1:2 matched case-control study was comprised of 42 children who were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Children's Hospital from 2009-2010. The case group included 14 patients, who were treated with AHST within the first 3 months after being diagnosed with diabetes at request of their parents during 2009-2010. The control group included 28 patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes at the same period of hospitalization. We compared the baseline and follow-up data of them, including ketoacidosis onset, clinical variables (glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin dosage and serum C-peptide).

RESULTS

The clinical characteristics of the patients was comparable between the case group and the control group. At 6-12 months ((10.7±4.2) months) after AHST treatment, we found 11 patients in the case group did not stop the insulin therapy, three cases stopped insulin treatment for 2, 3 and 11 months, respectively. No diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurred after transplantation in all the patients in the case group. HbA1c in the control group was significant lower than that in the case group (P < 0.01), while the insulin dosage and serum C-peptide were not significant different between the two groups (P > 0.05). In order to eliminate the honeymoon effect, we performed final follow-up at the 3-5 years ((4.2±1.8) years) after AHST treatment, and found that HbA1c in the control group was still lower than that in the case group (P < 0.01); however, the insulin dosage and serum C-peptide were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, the insulin dosage was not significant different from baseline to follow-up period in the case group.

CONCLUSION

AHST treatment showed no advantage in effectiveness in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, both in insulin dose and long term blood glucose control.

[Blood pressure variation of hypertensive diabetic nephropathy patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the variance of blood pressure of hypertensive diabetic patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

METHODS

Twenty hypertensive CAPD patients older than 40 years with diabetic nephropathy (DN-PD group) and twenty patients with chronic glomerular nephritis (CGN-PD group) were recruited. Peritoneal status and dialysis adequacy of the patients in the two groups were calculated using PD Adequest. All patients were given 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Parameters of blood pressure variation were calculated and compared between the two groups, which included 24 h systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (24 h SBPV/DBPV) and coefficient of variation (24 h SBPCV/24 h DBPCV), daytime systolic anid diastolic blood pressure variability (dSBPV/ DBPV) and coefficient of variation (dSBPCV/dDBPCV), and night time systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (nSBPV/ DBPV) and coefficient of variation (nSBPCV/nDBPCV).

RESULTS

No significant differences in clinical characteristics were found between the two groups of patients except for fast glucose. No significant differences in average systolic and diastolic blood pressures, average piulse pressure and mean 24 h, daytime, and nighttime arterial pressures were found between the two groups. However, the DN-PD group had significantly higher 24 h SBPV, 24 h SBPCV, dSBPV and dSBPCV than the CGN-PD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hypertensive diabetic nephropathy patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis have greater blood pressure variance than those with hypertensive chronic glomerular nephritis, despite a similar result of blood pressure control.